I love stumbling across insanely useful new Web sites. I've highlighted some in my columns and blog posts, but there always seem to be more great destinations that don't get their due.
Until now. I've rounded up the 100 sites that I think are the most helpful. Some were recommended by other writers, some were tips from readers and some I just stumbled upon. But these all have to do with money in some form or another -- making it, spending it, saving it, investing it, protecting it.
I've capped the list at 100 to keep it manageable, but that doesn't mean there aren't better sites in these areas waiting to be discovered. In fact, I'm asking for your help in finding them. If you have a candidate, tell us about it on the Your Money message board. We'll update this list periodically.
See the top 100
You'll find descriptions of Liz Pulliam Weston's favorite 100 sites below, but all the links are gathered on a single page. Click here to check them out.
The best sites for saving money
Bargaineering. Jim Wang's blog offers plenty of good personal-finance content along with reviews of banks, credit card offers, books and products.Consumerism Commentary. Track blogger Flexo's net worth as he and partner Smithee write about saving money on everything from banking to travel.
The Dollar Stretcher. If this site has had a major redesign since its launch in 1996, I missed it. But you don't need fancy graphics when you have a huge library of articles and tips about saving money. Even black-belt frugality experts will find new information here.
Financial Integrity. This is the site run by the New Road Map Foundation and Vicki Robin, a co-author of the seminal voluntary simplicity guidebook "Your Money or Your Life." Learn the steps to create financial freedom and align your financial life with your personal values.
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Get Rich Slowly. Blogger J.D. Roth dug his way out of debt and tells you how you can, too. An active community of readers provides additional insights and commentary.
The Simple Dollar. Like Roth, Trent Hamm has experienced and conquered debt. He grew up in poverty and understands how early deprivation can lead to later disasters with money.
The Simple Living Network. Followers of voluntary simplicity will find just about everything they need here, including articles, discussion forums and links to a range of like-minded sites.
Smart Spending. Yeah, it's cross promotion, but MSN Money's Smart Spending blog is still one of my favorite places to check for savings tips, commentaries on frugality and a roundup of good deals around the Web.
Wise Bread. A variety of voices enlivens Wise Bread, a site devoted to helping you "live large on a small budget." In addition to personal finance and frugal living, Wise Bread provides commentary on careers and "life hacks."
The best sites for savvier spending
Angie's List. Need to find a good contractor, a reliable handyman, an honest plumber or a warmhearted pediatrician? You'll find them and more on this consumer review site, which now has more than 750,000 members contributing and searching reports on local businesses. Membership fees vary by city but are typically around $5 a month to $40 a year.BillShrink. Get a better deal on credit cards and cell phone plans by answering a few questions about your bills. BillShrink analyzes your situation and matches you up with competitive offers.
The Budget Fashionista. You can look good for a lot less if you follow Kathryn Finney's smart advice, sales alerts and budget shopping tips.
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Consumer Reports. The venerable consumer-products-testing organization has an easy-to-use site with plenty of free information, but it's well worth the $26 annual subscription to have access to all the detailed ratings.
The Consumerist. Now owned by Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports, this irreverent site alerts readers to scams, customer-service nightmares, great deals and money-saving opportunities.
Edmunds.com. There are plenty of car price research sites on the Web, but Edmunds distinguishes itself with the True Cost to Own feature, which predicts how much each vehicle will cost in maintenance, repairs, insurance and depreciation over time, as well as in-depth articles such as the must-read "Confessions of a Car Salesman."
ePinions. "Unbiased reviews by real people" of an amazing variety of stuff. You can find ratings of products, companies, books, music and more.
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The do's and don'ts of ordering wine onlineConfusing sites, poor inventory and iffy delivery . . . Wall Street Journal columnists discuss what's wrong and what's right with online wine shopping.
FreeShipping.org. Don't hit the "buy" button until you've searched this site for free shipping codes. You can set up e-mail alerts to be notified when your favorite stores offer same.
Red Tape Chronicles MSNBC reporter Bob Sullivan spots scams, uncovers fraud and warns about the many, many ways you get nickel-and-dimed -- and "dollared" -- to death, as well as how to fight back.
Shop It To Me. This is a clothing-alert site that lets you know in daily or weekly newsletters what clothing selections in your size are put on sale. Written in an upbeat, cheeky tone, the site is easy to use and guides you through the process. This site tends toward upscale merchants such as Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Banana Republic and Gap.
ShopLocal.com. This handy guide lets you look at store ads in your area. Compare prices on products at comparable stores. One interesting feature is that as soon as you log back in to the site, you get a notice about the number of sales in your area (typically in the thousands) and the amount you could save if you hit all of those deals (typically in the hundreds of thousands).
Continued: Sites for bargain hunters
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